Vehicle and vibrating compactor combination

ABSTRACT

A vehicle and vibrating compactor combination, where the compactor is connected to the vehicle to move over the ground with movement of the vehicle. The compactor can be raised to elevate a compacting plate bottoming the compactor above the ground. Means in the combination provides for changing the position of the compactor and its compacting plate to enable it to be placed at different inclined positions with respect to the ground while in ground contact. This adjustment occurs with a change in the mode of operation of the compactor. Adjustable limit means defines the limits of different inclined positions for the compactor plate.

nited States Patent 1 91 1111 3,7 Layton Jan. 22, 1974 [541 VEHICLE ANDvIBIzATING COMPACTOR 1,119,119 12/1961 Germany 404/113 COMBINATION [75]Inventor: Jack D. Layton, Salem, Oreg. [73] Assignee: LaytonManufacturing Company,

- Salem, Oreg. [22] Filed: Apr. 7, 1972: [21] Appl. No.: 242,000

[52] US. Cl. 404/113, 404/133 [51] Int. Cl. E0lc 19/34 [58] Field ofSearch 404/113, 133, 102

[56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,938,438 5/1960 Hamilton404/113 2,723,608 11/1955 Jackson 2,909,970 10/1959 Jackson 3,342,l 189/1967 vBeierlein 3,635,132 1/1972 Mcllrath et al. 404/133 FOREIGNPATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 671,607 8/1939 Germany 404/133 PrimaryExaminer-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Thomas J. Holko Mame; Xnfl 0rFirin koli s ch, namen & Dickinson A vehicle and vibrating compactorcombination, where the compactor is connected to the vehicle to moveover the ground with movement of the vehicle. The compactor can beraised to elevate a compacting plate bottoming the compactor above theground. Means in the combination provides for changing the position ofthe compactor and its compacting plate to enable it to be placed atdifferent inclined positions with respect to the ground while in groundcontact. This adjustment occurs with a change in the mode of operationof the compactor. Adjustable limit means defines the limits of differentinclined positions for the compactor plate.

ABSTRACT 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PA-TENTED JAN 22 9 SHEET 2 BF 2This invention relates generally to ground-working vehicles, and moreparticularly to a vehicle and vibrating compactor combination usuable tocompact and densify the ground. .Such an operation might be performed,for instance, as a step in a ground paving operation.

A general object of this invention is to provide a novel combination ofvehicle and compactor providing means controllable by the vehicleoperator for compacting a ground area in a highly effective manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a vehicle withcompactor which permits the compaction of expanses of the ground whichare either inaccessible or difficult ,to reach with conventionalground-working machinery.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle andvibrating compactor combination which includes means for adjusting theposition of the compacting plate in the vibrating compactor relative tothe ground when in ground-contacting position. The plate may be inclinedto be provided proper lead when moving over the ground.

A specific object and feature of one embodiment of the invention is theprovision of a vehicle with vibrating compactor where the vehiclecomprises a road rolling machine and thecompactor is disposed beyond oneend of the machine and roller means at this end. The

compactor and roller means follow in a common path during movement ofthe rolling machine. With the organization, the compactor may beutilized to produce a preliminary densification of material, with theroller of the rolling machine then passing over this material to finallycompact the same.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, an ob- I ject is to providea vibrating compactor in a vehicle with a novel mounting for thecompactor accommodating a special type of positioning of the compactor,whereby areas can be compacted which otherwise would be inaccessible tothe machine.

Yet a further object is to provide a ground-working machine, i.e., acompacting machine, which comprises a combination of a rolling machinewith vibrating compactor carried at one end, which enables significantlyimproved results to be obtained in the densifying and compacting of theground in comparison to prior known devices. To indicate a few of theseimproved results, a compaction can be produced which is comparable orbetter than compaction produced by a rolling machine which includes anoscillating roller, for instance, without the ridging that such amachine sometimes produces and without the discomfort to the operator byreason of the operator being continually sub jected to vibrations. In arolling type of operation, the

vibrating compactor can be raised, which has the effect' FIG. 2 is aplan view, with portions broken away, illustrating the vehicle shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view on a somewhat enlarged scale further illustratingdetails of the vibrating compactor and the mounting which connects thecompactor to the vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a. plan view of the vibrating compactor 7 shown in FIG. 3 withparts removed;

FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating another modification of the inventionwhich comprises a rolling machine having a vibrating compactor disposedbeyond one end and mounted on the machine for travel therewith; and

FIG. 7 is a hydraulic circuit that may be used in the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and first of all more particularly toFIGS. 1 and 2, indicatedgenerally at 10 is a vehicle including a vehicleframe 12, front dirigible wheels such as wheel 14 and rear tractionwheels such as wheel 16. At 18 is represented the power plant for thevehicle, which may typically be an internal combustion engine. In FIG.1, portions of an operators seat are shown at 20. A steering wheel forsteering the vehicle is indicated at 22.

Referring to FIG, 2, the midline of the vehicle extendinglongitudinally, i.e., extending between the front and rear of thevehicle, is indicated generally at 24. Supported underneath the frame ofthe vehicle between the front and rear wheels l4, 16, with one on oneside and one on the other side of this midline, are a pair of vibratingcompactors given the reference numerals 26 and 28.

The two vibrating compactors are similar in construction and only onewill be described in detail. Referring now also to FIGS. 3 and 4, eachincludes what is referred to herein as a static frame 30 used in themounting of the compactor on the vehicle. The static frame is also usedin the mounting of a vibrating frame, a compacting plate which bottomsthe vibrating compactor, and the motor and associated parts producingvibrations in the plate, as will hereinafter be described.

'Specifically,,hinged' to the static frame by hinge 32 is a housing orcasing 34 of a generally rectangular configuration and including a base34a and an upper integral portion 34b of somewhat reduced dimensions. InFIG. 4 this housing has been removed, and portions of the housing havebeen broken away in FIG. 3, better to illustrate details of thevibration producing mechanism and associated parts.

Static frame 30 has a substantially rectangular opening 36 definedtherein, viewing the frame in plan, and with the housing removed, asbest illustrated in FIG. 4. Projecting partially up through this openingis a vertical plate 38 joined adjacent its base to horizontally disposedbars, portions of which are shown at 40 and 42 in FIG. 4. Plate 38, andbars 40, 42 make up what is referred to herein as a vibrating frame inthe vibrating compactor.

Also part of the vibrating frame is an upright, substantiallychannelshaped bracket (with the mechanism viewed in plan as shown inFIG. 4), such piece being illustrated at 44. This channel-shaped bracketextends upwardly a substantial distance through opening 36 and isemployed in the mounting of a motor, such as the reversible hydraulicmotor shown at 46.

A vibration-absorbing mounting is used in the mounting of the vibratingframe on the static frame. In the 56, each suitably secured at one sideto the mounting bracket and at the opposite sides to one of the brackets48, 50. A similar elastomer pad 58 is used in'the mounting of plate 38on bracket 52.

The output shaft 60 of motor 46 mounts pulleys 62 over which are trainedbelts 64. These belts extend downwardly from the pulley 62 and havelower reaches trained over suitable sheaves secured to a shaft (notshown) which is journaled on the vibrating frame and which mounts aneccentrically weighted rotor, shown generally in outline at 70.

Also part of the vibrating mechanism is the compacting or vibratingplate shown at 72 which bottoms the vibrating compactor. The plate issecured rigidly to bars 40, 42 in any suitable manner.

It should be apparent that with the construction described, and onrotation of the motor, through the inclusion of the eccentricallyweighted rotor, a vibrating action will be induced in the vibratingframe and the compactor plate attached to it. The vibrating action isnot limited to reciprocal vertical movement, but in-' cludes anoscillatory action in all directions. There is a tendency, therefore,for the compacting plate, were the compactor unrestrained, to hop overthe ground as the same vibrates, with the direction in which suchadvances being dependent upon the direction of rotation of rotor 70 asproduced by motor 46.

Considering the mounting of a vibrating compactor on the frame of thevehicle, shown generally at 80 is arm structure which is bifurcated atits lower extremity to present end portions 82, 84 straddling thecompactor. These arm portions are pivotally mounted on the static frameof the compactor by pivot connections 86. The opposite end of armstructure 80 is mounted through a ball pivot 90 to a portion of thetractor frame shown at 12a. The ball pivot connection accommo dates upand down movement of the forward extremity of the arm structure and alsolateral or side-to-side swinging of this forward extremity.

Also shown, as perhaps best seen in FIG. 2, are a pair of fluid-operatedrams 92, 94. Each is pivotally connected by ball pivot connections tothe frame of the tractor at portions 12b, 12c. Rod portions arepivotally connected by ball pivot connections to the arm struc-' ture,at pivot connections shown at 96 and 98. Through manipulation of theserams the arm structure may be raised to lift the compactor off theground. Further, the arm structure may be swung laterally outwardly, asshown in FIG. 2, to shift the compactor laterally outwardly, as to theposition indicated at 26A in FIG. 2. In this way the compactor can beutilized to produce ground compaction in regions to one side of the pathof the vehicle, an important capability when preparing an expanse ofland for pavement which is up against a sidewalk under an obstruction,etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, joined to the static frame of thecompactor is post structure 100. Joined to arm structure 80 adjacent itsbifurcated extremity is post structure 102. Extending between these poststructures, with opposite ends journaled on the post structures, is afluid-operated double-acting ram 104. The ram may be extended from theposition shown in FIG.

5 to swing the frame of the compactor in a clockwise direction in thefigure, which has the effect of shifting the plane of the compactorplate from the horizontal plane shown in FIG. 3 to an inclined planewhere the plate lies at an acute angle relative to the ground underneathit, which angle opens to the rear of the vehicle. This tilting of theplate provides for proper lead, when the compactor is moved from rightto left in FIG. 3, such movement occurring with the vehicle in FIG. 1moving to the rear. Similarly, with contraction of ram 104 the plate iscanted or tilted in the opposite direction, to define with the groundunderneath it an acute angle opening to the right in FIG. 3. Thispositioning of the'compactor provides proper lead in the plate with thecompactor moved from left to right or with the vehicle in FIG. 1 movingforwardly.

It is further contemplated in the instant invention that adjustablemeans be included for adjustably limiting the pivotally movementafforded the compactor, and thus limiting the inclination which can beproduced in the compactor plate. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, aright-angle drive unit is shown at 106 which is journaled adjacent thetop of post structure 102. Handcrank-operated shaft 108 extending intothe unit is connected by the usual gearing to threaded shaft 110extending out of the unit which has reversely threaded portions atopposite extremities of the shaft. A sleeve 112 having the shaft 110slidably extending through it is journaled at 114 to the upper extremityof post structure 100. Integral with the sleeve is an offset guide 112aslidably receiving a pin 116. Reversely threaded nuts 118, 120 arescrewed onto the reversely threaded end extremities of threaded shaft110. Pin 116 is secured to one of the nuts 118 and slidably passesthrough an accommodating bore in the other. The pin thus functions tohold the two nuts from relative angular displacement.

From this description it should be obvious that on turning thehand-crank-operated shaft 108, the nuts 118, 120 may be caused either tobe moved away from each other, or to move toward each other, on thethreaded shaft. The particular movement depends upon the direction inwhich thehand-crank-operated shaft is turned. With the nuts turnedtoward each other, the pivotal movement permitted the compactor toeither side of the position where the compactor plate is horizontal ismore restricted. Conversely, with movement of the nuts away from eachother, the amount of pivotal movement afforded the compactor, before thelimit positions defined by the nuts are reached, is increased.

It is comtemplated that a hydraulic circuit, similar to the one shown invery simplified form in FIG. 7, be provided for the supply and exhaustof fluid under pressure to the ram 104 and reversible motor 46 describedearlier. With. the circuitry contemplated, and with pressure fluidadmitted to conduit 122 to cause rotation of the motor in one direction,ram 104 is actuated in one of its strokes. With hydraulic fluidintroduced to conduit 124 to reverse the direction of rotation of themotor, ram 104 is actuated in the other of its strokes.

Earlier it was described that rotation of motor 46 tends to induceadvancing movement in the compactor, with the particular direction .ofthis advancing movement being dependent upon the direction of rotationof the motor. With the construction contemplated, when the motor isrotated, for instance, to tend to cause advancing movement of thecompactor from left to right in FIG. 3 at the same time that the valveis adjusted to provide for the supply of fluid producing this directionof rotation in motor 46, ram 104 is actuated to be contracted, which hasthe effect-of raising right-hand margins of the compactor plate in FIG.3 to establish proper lead when moving from left to right. With reverserotation of the motor 46, ram 104 is actuated in the opposite direction,to incline the compactor plate whereby it has proper lead when moving inthe opposite direction.

A vehicle as contemplated has considerable utility in leveling orotherwise grading a land expanse in, for instance, part of a pavingoperation. Referring to FIG. 1, a bucket loader or otherinstrumentality, for instance, may be mounted on the supportingstructure generally shown at 126, and utilized by the vehicle operatorin the moving of earth and the preliminary smoothing of such material. Ascraper blade, scarifying teeth, etc., may be mounted at the rear of thevehicle, which would also be at the operators disposal in producingmaterial movement tending to bring the area into grade. Compactors 26,28 when lowered to come into ground contact, may be utilized as thegrading proceeds by the operator of the vehicle in tamping or poundingthe ground, either in the path of the vehicle or off to one side,finally to prepare the area for pavement.

Illustrated in FIG. 6 is another modification of the invention. In thisinstance, the vehicle combination includes a self-propelled vehicularrolling machine shown generally at 130, provided with a vibratingcompactor designated at 132 mounted beyond one end of the rollingmachine 130.

Further considering this modification of the invention, the rollingmachine includes the usual frame 134 mounting enlarged weighted rollersor rolling means 133, 135.

In the apparatus of the modified form of the invention, compactor 132 ismounted on the vehicle, i.e., the rolling machine, through framework orarm structure I36 comprising a pair of arms like arm I38 disposed onopposite sides of the rolling machine journaled to the frame of themachine as at 140. The arms are pivotally mounted on the static frame ofthe compactor as at 142. Spanning the arms and joined to each is abracket 144.

Compactor 132 may be similar to the compactors earlier described. Theincline of the compactor plate bottoming the compactor is controlled byadjustable means 146 and a ram 148 extending between bracket I44 and apost 150 extending up from the static frame of the compactor. In thisinstance, the threaded shaft 152 of adjustable means 146 is turneddirectly by hand crank I54.

The compactor is raised from the ground to elevate its compacting platefrom the ground surface through a hoist ram 156. Such has its top endjournaled at 158 to a lug joined to the rolling machine. The bottom endof the hoist ram is journaled, to bracket structure 144.

It will be noted that with the rolling machine moved forwardly in orderto advance from left to right in the figure, ram 148 may be actuated toincline the plate so that it defines an acute angle facing forwardly,i.e., to provide the compactor plate with proper lead. With the machinemoved in the opposite direction, the ram is actuated to reverse the leadwhereby the plate defines an acute angle facing in the oppositedirection.

With the machine of the modification, a high degree of compaction may beproduced in the ground being worked. Thus, when compacting fresh,relatively undense material, the machine may be operated as shown inFIG. 6 with the compactor operating to produce a preliminary compactionof the material and a relatively smooth rolling surface for the rollermeans in the machine which follows the compactor. A smoother, morecompacted surface is producible than using either instrumentality alone.Note also that a pounding effect is also possible without transmittingdirectly these vibra tions to the rolling machine and the operatorseated thereon. Additionally, it should be noted that a compactiveeffect can be produced which is superior, for instance, to the oneproduced with a rolling machine with a vibrating roller, the lattertending to produce ridges and valleys in the product being worked due tothe oscillatory effect of the weighted roller.

In some types of operations the compactor may desirably be raised usingthe hoist ram 156. Since the compactor is carried forwardly of rollermeans 135, on raising of the compactor, its weight as well as part ofthe weight of rear roller means 133- is transferred to roller means 135.This effectively increases the rolling weight of roller means 135, adesirable advantage in obtaining final compaction of a given area.

From the above it should be obvious that the apparatus contemplatedprovides highly versatile and useful machinery for compacting andsmoothing a surface. While various modifications of the invention havebeen described, it should be obvious that other variations are possible.It is desired herein to cover all such modifications and variations aswould be apparent to one skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination of a ground-traveling vehicle,

a vibrating compactor bottomed by a vibrating compacting surface andmeans mounting the compactor on the vehicle with said compacting surfacein ground-engaging position,

said vehicle including powered means operable to propel the vehicle ineither of opposite directions,

the means mounting the compactor including means permitting shifting ofsaid compacting surface to place said surface at different inclinedgroundengaging positions depending upon the direction of vehicle travel,said means mounting the compactor including framework connected to thevehicle, pivot means connecting the compactor to said framework, andmotor means interposed between said framework and compactor operable onactuation to shift the compactor about the pivot axis afforded by saidpivot means thereby to change the inclined position of said compactorsurface.

2. The combination of claim I which further comprises adjustable meanslimiting the pivotal movement afforded the compactor relative to saidframework.

3. The combination of claim l, wherein said vehicle comprises aself-propelled rolling machine including weighted roller means forrolling over the ground, and

said compactor is mounted by said mounting means ad-' jacent one end ofthe roller machine and in the path of said weighted roller means onmovement of the rolling machine over the ground.

4. The combination of claim I, wherein said framework includes an armoperatively connected to and extending from the vehicle, said arm beingconnected to said compactor at a point remote from the operativeconnection of the arm with the vehicle, and wherein said arm isswingable laterally of the vehicle to change the path of the compactorover the ground with movement of the vehicle.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the compactor includes aneccentrically weighted rotor and a reversible motor for driving saidrotor in either of opposite directions to produce vibrations in thecompactor, said motor means is double acting, and said reversible motorand motor means are operatively interconnected whereby a change in thedirection of operation of said reversible motor is accompanied with achange in the actuation of said motor means.

6. lThe combination of claim 5, which further comprises adjustable meanslimiting the pivotal movement afforded the compactor relative to saidframework, said adjustable means comprising a pair of adjustable stops,and wherein actuation of said motor means shifts the compactor to movethe compactor to limit positions defined by either one or the other ofsaid stops.

7. A self-propelled vehicular rolling machine including a machine framehaving a weighted roller means mounted on said machine frame at one endof the rolling machine for rolling over the ground,

a power-operated vibrating compactor including a static frame and avibrating compactor plate bottoming the compactor disposed beyond saidone end of the rolling machine,

arm structure connected to said machine frame and extending from saidmachine frame outwardly beyond said one end of the rolling machine,

means pivotally mounting an outer extremity of said arm structure onsaid static frame of said compactor, and,

power-operated adjustable means interposed between said arm structureand said static frame of the compactor operable to place the compactorin one position wherein its said coompactor plate is in ground contactand inclined in one direction from a horizontal, and in another positionwherein its said compactor plate is in ground contact and inclined inthe opposite direction from a horizontal. 8. A ground-traveling vehicleincluding a vehicle frame and forward and rear wheel support means forsupporting the vehicle for movement over the ground, a vibratingcompactor including a static frame and a vibrating compactor platebottoming the compactor,

arm structure connecting the compactor to the vehicle frame having oneend pivotally mounted on the vehicle and an opposite end pivotallyconnected to the static frame of the compactor, and

remotely controlled motor means operatively interposed between thestatic frame of the compactor and said arm structure operable to placethe compactor in one position wherein its said compactor plate is inground contact and inclined in one direction from a horizontal, and inanother position wherein its said compactor plate is in ground contactand inclined in the opposite direction from a horizontal.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the compactor includes aneccentrically weighted rotor and a reversible motor for driving saidrotor in either of opposite directions to produce vibrations in thecompactor, said motor means is double acting, and said reversible motorand motor means are operatively interconnected whereby a change in thedirection of operation of said reversible motor is accompanied with achange in the actuation of said motor means.

[0. The apparatus of claim 9, which further includes adjustable limitmeans adjustable to define two limit positions limiting the degree ofmovement afforded between the static frame and said arm structure.

1. The combination of a ground-traveling vehicle, a vibrating compactorbottomed by a vibrating compacting surface and means mounting thecompactor on the vehicle with said compacting surface in ground-engagingposition, said vehicle including powered means operable to propel thevehicle in either of opposite directions, the means mounting thecompactor including means permitting shifting of said compacting surfaceto place said surface at different inclined ground-engaging positionsdepending upon the direction of vehicle travel, said means mounting thecompactor including framework connected to the vehicle, pivot meansconnecting the compactor to said framework, and motor means interposedbetween said framework and compactor operable on actuation to shift thecompactor about the pivot axis afforded by said pivot means thereby tochange the inclined position of said compactor surface.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1 which further comprises adjustable means limitingthe pivotal movement afforded the compactor relative to said framework.3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said vehicle comprises aself-propelled rolling machine including weighted roller means forrolling over the ground, and said compactor is mounted by said mountingmeans adjacent one end of the roller machine and in the path of saidweighted roller means on movement of the rolling machine over theground.
 4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said framework includesan arm operatively connected to and extending from the vehicle, said armbeing connected to said compactor at a point remote from the operativeconnection of the arm with the vehicle, and wherein said arm isswingable laterally of the vehicle to change the path of the compactorover the ground with movement of the vehicle.
 5. The combination ofclaim 1, wherein the compactor includes an eccentrically weighted rotorand a reversible motor for driving said rotor in either of oppositedirections to produce vibrations in the compactor, said motor means isdouble acting, and said reversible motor and motor means are operativelyinterconnected whereby a change in the direction of operation of saidreversible motor is accompanied with a change in the actuation of saidmotor means.
 6. IThe combination of claim 5, which further comprisesadjustable means limiting the pivotal movement afforded the compactorrelative to said framework, said adjustable means comprising a pair ofadjustable stops, and wherein actuation of said motor means shifts thecompactor to move the compactor to limit positions defined by either oneor the other of said stops.
 7. A self-propelled vehicular rollingmachine including a machine frame having a weighted roller means mountedon said machine frame at one end of the rolling machine for rolling overthe ground, a power-operated vibrating compactor including a staticframe and a vibrating compactor plate bottoming the compactor disposedbeyond said one end of the rolling machine, arm structure connected tosaid machine frame and extending from said machine frame outwardlybeyond said one end of the rolling machine, means pivotally mounting anouter extremity of said arm structure on said static frame of saidcompactor, and, power-operated adjustable means interposed between saidarm structure and said static frame of the compactor operable to placethe compactor in one position wherein its said coompactor plate is inground contact and inclined in one direction from a horizontal, and inanother position wherein its said compactor plate is in ground contactand inclined in the opposite direction from a horizontal.
 8. Aground-traveling vehicle including a vehicle frame and forward and rearwheel support means for supporting the vehicle for movement over theground, a vibrating compactor including A static frame and a vibratingcompactor plate bottoming the compactor, arm structure connecting thecompactor to the vehicle frame having one end pivotally mounted on thevehicle and an opposite end pivotally connected to the static frame ofthe compactor, and remotely controlled motor means operativelyinterposed between the static frame of the compactor and said armstructure operable to place the compactor in one position wherein itssaid compactor plate is in ground contact and inclined in one directionfrom a horizontal, and in another position wherein its said compactorplate is in ground contact and inclined in the opposite direction from ahorizontal.
 9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the compactor includes aneccentrically weighted rotor and a reversible motor for driving saidrotor in either of opposite directions to produce vibrations in thecompactor, said motor means is double acting, and said reversible motorand motor means are operatively interconnected whereby a change in thedirection of operation of said reversible motor is accompanied with achange in the actuation of said motor means.
 10. The apparatus of claim9, which further includes adjustable limit means adjustable to definetwo limit positions limiting the degree of movement afforded between thestatic frame and said arm structure.